By the time she entered her senior year, Maya Blanchard (IAFS ’14) had a plan. She knew she wanted to intern before she graduated, and her minor in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology had given her a strong interest in energy issues. Her plan came together with a unique internship with the International Research Center for Energy and Economic Development (ICEED). Blanchard served as ICEED’s sole conference intern during the spring 2014 semester.
When Blanchard joined with ICEED, she found a non-profit organization that contributes to research on national and international energy issues. The annual ICEED conference draws a dynamic range of individuals, all discussing energy issues and markets. Driven to learn more about the field, Blanchard knew an internship with ICEED was an opportunity to grow academically and professionally, especially with the dynamic conference held close to campus in Boulder, Colorado.
In preparation of the conference, Blanchard worked directly with Dr. Dorothea El Mallakh, Executive Director of the Center, and Ms. Helen El Mallakh, Associate Director of ICEED. Says Blanchard: “It was a true honor to have such influential people [in energy economics and international affairs] take me – a student intern – seriously.” Her range of responsibilities varied from “event planning for the conference to editing and understanding journal publications, as well as overseeing conference volunteers.”
The 41st annual ICEED International Energy conference all came together from April 27-30 in Boulder. Representatives and energy leaders from over 40 countries arrived from around the world to attend. Blanchard eagerly prepared herself for discussions and presentations from specialists, particularly on how energy issues are interconnected globally.
In discussing this year’s conference, Blanchard shares, “Lately, the Ukraine and Russia are always a cover story in the news. I was fascinated by a presentation from a Norwegian academic who attended the conference. He spoke in-depth about the impacts of Russia supplying the Ukraine with energy, and how Norway also plays an integral role in this current energy situation.” Blanchard also notes how the conference showcased controversial energy topics aimed to challenge individuals’ current viewpoints. Blanchard says, “When I joined ICEED, I had firm but limited perspectives on the controversial issues of fracking and renewable energy. However, the conference exhibited valuable information from multiple aspects, which prompted me to reconsider my current stance on issues.”
Blanchard says that the ICEED conference gave her a unique experience of for understanding controversial energy issues in their global context: “Not a lot of new professionals have the opportunity to get a bird’s eye view into an international energy conference. From this experience, I learned that I am truly passionate about a career in an energy-related field after pursing graduate school."